Autism spectrum disorder (diagnosed or suspected)
Emergency referrals
If any of the following are present or suspected, phone 000 to arrange immediate transfer to the emergency department or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.
It is proposed that the following conditions should be sent directly to emergency. This is not a list of all conditions that should be sent to the emergency department, it is intended as guidance for presentations that may otherwise have been directed to general paediatric outpatients:
Does your patient wish to be referred?
Minimum referral criteria
Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days is desirable
- Definite history of developmental regression
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- Children < 6 who have developmental screening indicating concerns across communication, social and behavioural domains (suggestive of ASD)
- Child expected to be in out of home care supervised by the department of child safety for more than 6 months?
- Children with ASD at imminent risk of losing existing resources without diagnostic review
- Acute severe functional deterioration in a child diagnosed with ASD
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- Most other referrals for suspected ASD
If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria
Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.
If you still need to refer your patient:
- Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
- Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service
Other important information for referring practitioners
Not an exhaustive list
- Refer to local care pathway
- Developmental optometry and auditory processing assessments are not supported by evidence
- If a concern about possible autism has been raised but there are no obvious symptoms or other reasons to suspect autism, explore further why the parent is concerned. If the school has suggested this diagnosis ask that they provide a letter outlining the reasons for the concern.
- Children with confirmed autism who are medically stable do not require routine assessment.
- In the majority of cases it is thought inappropriate for children to wait more than 6 months for an outpatient initial appointment
- If you have a reason to suspect a child in Queensland is experiencing harm, or is at risk of experiencing harm, you need to contact Child Safety Services: https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/
- Australian Psychological Society, understanding and managing autism spectrum disorder: http://psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/autism/
- Autism Queensland: www.autismqld.com.au
- Raising Children Network: www.raisingchildren.net.au
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
Send referral
Hotline: 1300 364 938
Fax: 1300 364 952
Electronic: eReferral system
Mail: Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776 Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034
Health pathways
Access to Health Pathways is free for clinicians in Metro North Brisbane.
For login details email:
healthpathways
Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.